For those living in, or visiting the Portland area, Columbia River Gorge makes for a lovely weekend trip. The Columbia River Gorge is a term to define the area surrounding the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon. The river sits at the heart of the natural area, and is framed by mountains to create a scenic landscape.  The area has a variety of amenities for visitors including hiking, history, breweries, camping, wind sailing, wineries, biking, fishing, kayaking, restaurants, scenic drives, rafting, and a plethora of waterfalls, as well as some incredible views.

For those who enjoy man-made marvelous, there are also several dams along the river, as well as impressive bridges that showcase their architecture. Visitors can experience the architectural feats, and the natural scenery by driving up and down the river on both sides, and stopping off at the small towns that line the Columbia River. Along the main road, there are smaller routes to explore, such as the Fruit Loop. The highlight of the Columbia River Gorge however is the natural landscape. During our visit we hiked the Dry Creek Falls trail, which was along the Pacific Crest Trail. The Columbia River Gorge is also home to a variety of parks and state parks, that provide numerous trails to explore. Additionally, there are a variety of natural areas for visitors to picnic, hike, explore, or even camp out. Hikers can explore an array of wildflowers or various waterfalls, such as Multnomah Falls.

An afternoon visit could lead you to Thunder Island. The island is a small island off of Cascade Locks, where a museum sits. Visitors are able to walk across a bridge to explore the island. Most of the visitors are learning about the history of the island, and the area through plaques, or using the island as a large picnic spot. The island has terrific views of the river, as well as some incredible breezes, making it a great spot for a relaxed afternoon. Afterwards, you can walk back across the bridge and head down the round to Thunder Island Brewing Company for a relaxed day along the waterfront.

One of the most popular attractions is wind sailing. Although we didn’t participate in wind sailing we did spend an afternoon at Full Sail Brewing, where we watched the wind sailors dart across the Columbia River. In general, water sports are quite popular along the river, making it a great place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts. We spent a week in Columbia River Gorge exploring trails, waterfalls, and local spots, and definitely only began to explore the array of activities the Columbia River Gorge provides. The Columbia River Gorge is a great way to get out in nature and explore.